Danilo Salsi and his accomplished team onboard Swan 90 DSK Pioneer Investments have returned to the Mediterranean and are preparing for the most prestigious event of the season, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Organised by the YCCS, 2009 marks the 20th edition of this elaborate regatta, which will include 44 teams from 16 countries.

30 August 2009 - Following on from their win earlier this year in the inaugural RORC Caribbean 600, Danilo Salsi and his accomplished team onboard Swan 90 DSK Pioneer Investments have returned to the Mediterranean and are preparing for the most prestigious event of the season, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, 2009 marks the 20th edition of this elaborate regatta, which will include 44 teams from 16 countries.

Salsi is one of the few Italian maxi owners to compete in the international offshore and maxi racing circuits. Having proudly flown the YCCS burgee in numerous regattas (including the Rolex Sydney Hobart and Newport Bermuda Race) DSK Pioneer Investments gladly return to their home waters to race against the myriad teams from abroad.

Commenting on the outlook for the Maxis, owner and helmsman Danilo Salsi stated: “We are looking forward to an intense week of racing. It will be the first time that we race the Swan 90 in Porto Cervo and I think the conditions will be ideal for the boat.”

During the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, DSK Pioneer Investments will also be competing for the Swan Maxi Class trophy, lining up against Leonardo Ferragamo’s Swan 90 Soleone (ITA) and the Swan 82 Grey Goose (GER).

“At this time of year, it is quite likely that the mistral will be in play providing challenging conditions for the fleet, but which will see DSK Pioneer Investments excel,” said tactician Andrea Casale.

Salsi’s team includes his trusted tactician from the team’s Swan 45 and Farr 40, Andrea Casale (Fiamma Gialla/ J24 World Champion), as well as trimmers Vittorio Rosso and Alessandro Franci alongside navigator Francesco Mongelli. Recent additions to the crew include Neil Cox (PUMA/ABN Ambro) and Nick Bice (Delta Lloyd/ABN Ambro) both of whom bring considerable offshore experience including having participated in the 2008-2009 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Following on from the Maxis, DSK Pioneer Investments will set their sights on the Rolex Middle Sea Race, which starts on 17 October in Malta. From there it is back to the Caribbean for DSK Pioneer Investments whose impressive 2010 programme includes the Heineken Regatta, St Barth’s Bucket, RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Race Week and the Newport Bermuda Race.

The team onboard Swan 90 DSK Pioneer Investments includes: Danilo Salsi (helm), Andrea Casale (tactician/trim), Neil Cox, Nick Bice, Francesco Mongelli (navigator), Alessandro Franci (trimmer), Vittorio Rosso (trimmer), Riccardo de Magistris (pit), Niky Mosca (pit), Guido Antar Vigna (mast), Mark Fliegner (boat captain), Max Cavallo (bow), Saverio Cigliano (bow), Alessandro Tonelli (bow/rig/trim), David Martin and Tatiana Loof (logistics).